Operation Goodwood

Operation Goodwood (18-20 July 1944) was the final operation undertaken by the British to secure the city of Caen, Normandy during the Battle of Caen. Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery planned to tie down German armor with an attack just to the east of Caen, hoping to distract the Germans from the American breakthrough at St. Lo during Operation Cobra. RAF Bomber Command prepared the way for the British assault, devastating the area to the east of Caen and bombing the German forces in the path of the British advance. The British armor made good progress due to the effect of the air attacks, but the Germans quickly recovered, and antitank guns in villages on the flank of the advance suddenly came to life. German tanks took up position on the dominant ridge at Verrieres, the first major objective of the attack. The British were halted at Verrieres Ridge, and attempts to resume the attack on 19 July failed, while thunderstorms on 20 July brought Goodwood to an end with a loss of 400 tanks. The Canadians had, however, secured the rest of Caen during Operation Atlantic, and the British had successfully distracted the Germans from holding back the American breakthrough at St. Lo.